Russia Nearly Doubles Tanker Fleet for LNG Exports to China

Russia has nearly doubled its fleet of tankers transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Arctic project 'Arctic LNG-2' in less than a year. The sole buyer of this fuel is China, which began purchases last year and plans to accelerate them in 2026. According to analysis, at least 20 vessels are used to service the project, significantly more than the 11 at the end of December. Most of the vessels have opaque ownership structures. The fleet includes a new ice-class vessel designed for year-round movement. The export of energy resources strengthens ties between Moscow and Beijing. Logistics require icebreakers for transporting gas, which is first delivered to transshipment points in Russia and then to conventional tankers. Throughput remains a key limitation. The international consulting company Rystad Energy has raised its production forecast for Arctic LNG 2 in 2026 by 9% to 5 million tons. The current fleet can ensure the export of 5.2-5.4 million tons per year, while the capacity of the two operational lines is 13.2 million tons. To bring the plant to full capacity, Russia will need up to 30 conventional vessels, which is why Moscow continues to expand its fleet for LNG transportation.

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